Comments on: On The Beat With PC Lew Tassell

By: JerryW

JerryW — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:39:06 +0000

I might possibly have seen that truncheon before .. when I was a student at City University in the early 1970s, living in the Bunhill Row hall of residence, we frequently would walk through and around the city when it was quiet, after hours, with one of Geoffrey Fletcher’s books.. and I remember two of us chatting for a while with a city policeman in Leadenhall market, late at night. He showed us all his police equipment including his truncheon, which he said he had never actually had to use .. can’t remember now what he looked like, but who knows, it could have been PC Tassell!

I’ve always thought the city police look a step above the average copper..

By: mary woodward

mary woodward — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:21:45 +0000

great read…policemen always have such good stories to tell.

Loved the photos of PC Tassell’s helmet, truncheon. and his badge..such history there.

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:10:12 +0000

I always enjoy the articles about Lew Tassell, and the photographs he took. I started work as a 17year old in the City, in the early 80s, moving around different sites, so I knew all the places he’s picked out here! And I remember those Christmas Eve’s where everyone downed tools to go drinking. I just took the opportunity to get home earlier for Christmas!

By: Rob Caiger

Rob Caiger — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:03:54 +0000

Every article by The Gentle Author is outstanding, bringing the history of this area of London to life at a local, personal level – and PC Lew’s story is no exception. It resonated with me as this is an area I used to work in during the late 70s through to the 90s. I walked every footstep thanks to the words in this excellent article, all the more so as grandad was a policeman in the East End. Much of what Lew said reminded me of him – and of a different, much-missed world. Outstanding. Can’t wait to do one of the tours!

By: ANDY STROWMAN

ANDY STROWMAN — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:28:36 +0000

A very interesting story with lively photos

By: Corvin

Corvin — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:02:52 +0000

I like the view from the Lamb Leadenhall market and it’s good to hear some behaviours clearly haven’t changed. But on an entirely different note that truncheon wouldn’t have gone amiss at The Backstreet or Stef Dicker’s collection at the Bishopsgate!